Mail box



Oct. 15, 1929.

E I. PENDERGRASS MAIL BOX Filed June 7. 1928 l as .9 0 3/ m INVENTOR. E/fV/A/ Pmamwms,

BY WWW A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 15, 1929 STATES.

PATENT OFFICE:

MAIL Box Application filed June 7,

My invention relates to mail boxes and has particular reference to a movable support for the same.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a support for a mail box, embodying a post carrying a generally horizontal arm.

The horizontal arm includes relatively longitudinally movable parts.- The mail box is carried by the longitudinally movable part and may be shifted forwardly by the postman over or into the vehicle in which he is traveling, and locked in the forward projected position. Afterthe mail has been placed in the mail box, the relatively movable part is released, and automatic means are provided to retract the movable parts. The construction is extremely simple, cheap to manufacture, and neat and attractive in appearance.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mail box support embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View of the same, parts broken away,

Figure .3 is an end elevation of the same,

Figure 4 is a detailed section through an elbow included in the support,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the horizontal arm, parts in section for the purpose of illustration,

Figure 6 is a bottom plan View showing a modified form of attaching element, and,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the same.

Attention being called first to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the numeral 10 designates a vertical tubular post, the lower end of which may be anchored in concrete 11, or the like. Secured to the upper end of the vertical post 10 is an elbow 12, having rigidly attached thereto a tubular outer arm section 13, in

cluded in an overhanging arm. The overhanging arm embodies an inner tubular hori- Zontal arm section 4-, telescoping therewith, 1

and adapted to move longitudinally with relation thereto. The tubular arm 14 is provided with a longitudinal slot 15, having a lateral extension 16, at its inner end. A pin 17 is rigidly attached to the outer tubular tion of sheet metal.

192s. Serial 1%. 283,661.

arm section 13 and projects inwardly to enter the slot 15.

Attached to the inner end of the arm section 1 1, is a flexible element 18, which may be in theform of a cord, cable or the like. This flexible element is passed about a grooved pulley 19, suitably mounted within the coupling 12, and the lower end of the flexible element is attached to a weight 20. The function of this weight and flexible element is to automatically shift the arm section 14, to the inner position, when released. Instead of employing a weight, I may employ a spring, for this purpose, as is obvious.

The mail box attaching unit embodies spaced longitudinal straps 21, formed of metal, which are rigidly connected near their centers, by a transverse angle iron 22, which may be Welded thereto. The transverse-angle iron is preferably welded to the forward or outer end of the armsection 14c. A longitudinal rod 23 is welded or rigidly attached to the-angle iron 22 and is provided at its forward end with a handle or loop 24. The numeral 25 designates a mail box, of any wellknown or preferred type, which is adapted to be mounted upon a base26, which may be a board, and thisbase is secured to the straps 21 by screws 27 or the like.

In Figures 6 and 7, I have shown a modification of the invention. In these figures, the attaching unit 28 is in the form of a sheet metal plate, havinga depending flange 29 stamped therefrom. This. flange is welded to the forward end of the. inner arm 14.

Formed integral with-the plate 28 is a for- Wardly extending shank 30 provided at its forward end with a transverse handle or loop 31. All parts of the attaching ,unit are integral and are stamped from a single sec- The plate 28 is provided with openings 32, near its longitudinal edges, to receive screws, or the like to secure the same to the board or base 26.

The operation of the first form of apparatus is as follows: i

"When the postman drives his vehicle in proximity to the mail box, he reaches out and inserts his hand within the loop 24;, and pulls the loop forwardly. This draws the mail box 25 forwardly, the inner tubular arm section 14 moving forwardly. When the transverse portion 16 of the slot 15 is brought into alinement with the pin 17, the forward movement of the mail box is limited, and the handle 24 is turned upon its longitudinal axis. This turns or tilts the mail box, Figure and the pin 17 enters the transverse portion 16 of the slot 15. The mail box is now locked in the forward position. When the postman has inserted the mail within the mail box, the handle 24 isturned in the opposite direction, and the pin 17 is returned to the inner end of the longitudinal slot 15. When the postman releases the handle 24;, the weight 20 automatically returns the arm section 14 and mail box to the rear position.

The operation of the modified form of the invention, Figures 6 and 7, is the same as that described in connection with the first form of the invention, all parts being identical, excepting the construction of the attaching unit.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention,'or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus descrlbed my invention, I claim:

'1. The combination with a tubularpost, a,

tubular overhanging arm section carried by the upper end of the post, a tubular inner arm section slidably mounted Within the first named tubular arm section and having a longitudinal slot and a transverse slot leading into the longitudinal slot, a pin carried by the outer tubular arm section and adapted to operate within said slots, an attaching unit secured to the forward end of the inner arm section, a mail box mounted upon the attaching unit, and a handle secured to the attaching unit and projecting forwardly of the mail box and adapted to shift the attaching unit longitudinally and to turn the same upon its longitudinal axis to bring the pin into the transverseslot to lock the inner arm section in the forward position, and automatic means to shift the innerarm section rearwardly when it is released.

2. The combination with a tubular post, of a tubular overhanging arm connected therewith, a tubular inner arm slidable within the outer arm and provided witha longitudinal slot and a transverse slot near its inner end, a pin carried by the outer arm to operate within said slots, an attaching unit secured to the forward end of the inner arm, a mail box mounted upon the attaching unit, a handle secured to the attaching unit and projecting forwardly beyond the mail box, a flexible element mounted within the tubular post and arms and attached to the inner arm, and a Weight secured to the flexible element.

3. The combination with a tubular post, of a horizontal tubular arm secured thereto, an inner arm slidable within the first named arm and having a longitudinal slot provided with a transverse extension near its inner end, a pin carried by the first named arm and operating Within said slots, a Weight mounted Within the tubular post, a flexible element connecting the weight and inner arm, an attaching unit having adepending flange rigidly secured to the inner arm, a mail box mounted upon the attaching unit, and a handle extending longitudinally of the mail box and secured to the attaching unit and projecting forwardlybeyond the mail box, said handle being adapted to move the inner arm longitudinally and to turn the same upon its longitudinal axis.

4;. The combination with a mail box, of an attaching unit upon which the mail box is mounted, said attaching unit including a plate having a depending flange stamped therefrom and also including a forwardly projecting longitudinal shank and a loop, an overhanging tubular arm, and an inner arm slidable within thetubular arm and rigidly attached to said flange.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ERVIN I. PENDERGRASS. 

